Simple ways to add a little extra protein to your diet...

   

      Since the whole "spilling ketones" incident a week ago, I've had to turn my attention to increasing the amount of protein that I am eating. I never considered myself to have "eating problems," but since I still have some nausea issues, I must not be getting all of the nutrients my body and the baby need (yes, 21 weeks and still some nausea). Now, I have to make sure I am eating some kind of protein every 2-3 hours and drinking plenty of fluids. So, here are some of the simple ways I've increased the protein in my diet.

Morning: 1 of the following (if I'm really hungry, some times 2 of the following)
-2 Greek Yogurts (Oikos Raspberry is my favorite flavor)
    I, personally, love the flavor of Greek Yogurt (I know some hate it), but I also
    like that it has double the amount of protein a normal cup of yogurt has.
   That's nearly 30 grams of protein to start off your day!

-3 eggs (scrambled, and some times I even make an egg sandwich with honey wheat
              bread and a slice of cheese)
     That's 18 grams of protein for the eggs alone (not counting cheese if I make a
      sandwich)
-Bowl of Oatmeal
      I'm a mom, so I normally just buy the instant oatmeal packets since I don't have a
      ton of time to make breakfast.
      Oatmeal actually does not have a ton of protein (4-5 grams), but it does fill you
      up for the day.

Mid-Morning Snack: 1 of the following
-Protein bar: I will buy just about any brand (I always look at what's on sale that day)
       I only buy them if they have at least 15 grams of protein, usually they have 20
       or more.
-Raspberry (or any frozen berry) Chocolate Chip protein shake
      I will include a recipe below for the recipe.
      It comes out to about 30 grams of protein per 1 shake.

Lunch: 1 of the following, unless I'm out and about
-Chicken tenders: Yes, I do buy the frozen kind, Banquet is usually the brand we go
            with. It's not the healthiest option, but it's quick and no the worst option for
            lunch.
            1 serving size is about 15 grams of protein.
-Salad with chicken: If I am out and about, this is usually my go to lunch. My favorite
       place is Panera Bread for their Chicken Avocado Salad.
        Depending on the amount of chicken comes on the salad, there's anywhere
        between 15-30 grams of protein.
-Sandwich
      Could be chicken salad (29 grams of protein), peanut butter (8 grams of protein),
      or turkey (25 grams of protein)

Mid-Afternoon Snack: 1 of the following
-Cheese and crackers: My favorite cheese is Colby jack on the block
      1 slice has about 5 grams of protein (I usually have about 5-6 slices)
-Protein bar: We've already been though that :)
                     15-25 grams of protein
Dinner: 1 of the following
-Chicken  breast and a green vegetable (broccoli, asparagus, spinach, green beans, or
                 peas) about 30 grams of protein
-Spinach and cheese quiche 20 grams of protein per piece
           My recipe is in a previous blog: http://mommyvlog865.blogspot.com/2014/11/some-great-and-easy-ways-to-sneak.html

-Pork tenderloin and a vegetable
           I normally create a glaze with about  3 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons or
           Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and 2 teaspoons of rosemary (I
           crush it up a little in my hand)
           About 22-25 grams of protein

This is not strictly all I ever eat, but this give you an idea on how to add a little more protein to your diet.

Raspberry (or any frozen berry) Chocolate Chip Shake
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt (I prefer vanilla) (about 15 grams of protein)
- 1 scoop of protein powder (15 grams of protein per scoop) I use EAS brand.
-1/2 cup of chocolate chips
-1 cup of frozen berries
when you use the frozen berries, you don't need to use ice
Blend in the blender until thoroughly blended
You cannot taste the powder, I swear!

                                    Image from: www.52kitchenadventures.com
                                              But it look's a lot like mine!

{Healthy} Stuffed Bell Peppers

        

Image from: www.finecooking.com       

 

          One of my favorite "go to" meals is stuffed bell peppers. My original recipe is not an unhealthy version. However, I have found a few healthier alternatives that would please even the pickiest eaters. Not only is it a simple to follow recipe, but it also is one you can throw together in about 30 minutes.{Great for a mid-week dinner option. Even better, if you plan ahead a little.} Plus, if you get the pepper on sale, it's relatively cheap. {Usually, under $15 for 6 servings!}

         Normally, I will use all green bell pepper since they are always cheaper than the colorful options. If I see the yellow, orange, and red bell peppers are on sale, I become giddy with excitement and buy plenty for my recipe. {Yes, a sale on bell peppers will make me giddy.} This past week, the colorful pepper were on sale at my Kroger for $1 a piece. They still are not cheaper than green peppers, but I love how cooking with the colored peppers make me cheery. So, I splurged and bought 6 {Yes, 6} of the colorful bell peppers {2 in each color}. Now, below I will post the recipe for my original recipe. Then, below that, I will post suggestions for the even healthier alternative options.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 15-20 mins

Yields 6 servings

Ingredients:

-6 bell peppers

-1 lb of sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Regular)

-2 boxes (or the equivalent, which would be 12 oz) of Long Grain Wild Rice

 (I use Uncle Ben's Original Recipe. Plus, it already comes with all the flavoring you need.)

-1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese (This is my favorite. You can use any cheese you like.)

*You can add a can of diced tomatoes. I would suggest draining the liquid off, so the liquid ratio is not messed up while the rice cooks. Most people do, but I don't add the tomatoes.*

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Wash the outside of the bell peppers well and dry off. Cut open the top of the pepper {Like you cut open a Jack-O-Lantern}. Clean out all the seeds inside the pepper. {Then, I usually cut the top pieces back to the stem, dice the extra pepper, and add it to the rice mixture.} Place peppers, upright, in an oven safe dish. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, brown the sausage. If it produces very little grease, keep it. If it produces more than about a tablespoon, drain off the excess grease. {You can use the grease it renders as your oil for the rice.}This is when you add the diced bell pepper pieces. Let them cook for about 5 minutes or until softened. In the same pan, cook the rice according to the package instructions. Once rice is ready, pour into the emptied bell peppers until you reach the top of the pepper. Top the pepper with the shredded cheese, and put in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. {The cheese should be totally melted.} Enjoy!

*Sometimes, as an extra surprise, I add about a tablespoon of shredded cheese down inside the pepper before adding the stuffing.*

**Healthy Alternatives**
-You can replace the sausage with either lean ground beef or ground turkey.
-You can replace the Wild Rice with either brown rice or quinoa.
*If you use one of the substitutes, you will need to add the following seasonings to the stuffing mixture just before stuffing the peppers.*
      -2 teaspoons of garlic powder
      -1 teaspoon of dried parsley
      -1 teaspoon of onion powder
      - 1 teaspoon of powder or bullion cube of chicken bullion {add when water is added for the rice
            or quinoa}
      -salt and pepper to taste




Finished Product:

When to Introduce {Baby Food}

         

Image from: honestfare.com

         My latest quandary has been, when can I start giving "solids" to my baby girl? {I feel the word "solids" is not totally accurate since it's far from solid, but that's the term everyone uses.} As usual, I have researched and read almost every article about when the right time to introduce solids to an infant. I have even talked it over with her pediatrician. Since I'm always trying to think of ways to help out the fellow mom, here is the answer I have compiled from all the various researching I've been doing.

***{Note: I am not a doctor. If you have ANY questions or concerns about feeding your child, please contact your pediatrician.1}***

     1st of all, I have always been told to start with rice cereal in the baby's bottle as the first step to introducing them to solids. After discussing this with my baby's pediatrician, she informed me that rice cereal as a first step is really unnecessary. It is totally fine to start with rice cereal, but she usually only will suggest rice in a bottle when the baby is having acid reflux issues. {Apparently, the rice cereal can ease the acid in their bellies.} I have even read that it could be more of a chocking hazard in the bottle, than a good beginner option. *So, if you do want to begin with rice cereal, that is TOTALLY fine. Just remember, it's best to actually feed it to the baby than to put it in a bottle.*

 So, how do you know when your baby is ready for baby food?

• Their digestion system is not really ready for solids until, at the minimum, 4 months old. {There always could be the chance your doctor may suggest rice cereal in the bottle prior to 4 months of age if they are having serious acid reflux issues, and that is totally fine.}
• They should be between 4-6 months old before you start solid food.

• They should have great head control. {You can't eat well when your head is bobbing back and forth.}

• They should be able to sit up well when supported.

• When they have been fed a bottle, and they still seem hungry. The breast milk or formula may not be quite enough to satisfy their hunger.

• When they start to show more recognition of food. {Like when they are staring, longingly, at your plate of food. Making you feel like poo that you can't share with them just yet.}

• When they start using their tongue to push food to the back of their throat, and can make chewing motions.

• They have doubled their birth weight.

If your baby is showing these signs {trust me you will know}, they are ready for solid foods. My pediatrician suggested to start with yellow and orange vegetables. BabyCenter suggests the best foods to start with are sweet potatoes, squash, applesauce, bananas, peaches, and pears. Feed only one food item {like sweet potatoes} for at least 3 days straight. {This way, if they have an allergic reaction, you will know more than likely what caused it.}

I suggest starting with only one feeding a day, then after about a week or two you can increase to two feedings a day. Around approximately 8 months, they should be eating baby food three times a day.

How to Survive the {Beach} with a Baby and a Toddler

      

       While preparing for our beach trip, I hopped on Pinterest to gather some ideas on how to avoid a miserable beach trip with kids. Honestly, I got a few excellent idea, but overall, it mostly terrified me. I had essentially summed it up that there was no way to have a relaxing beach trip with both a baby {she was only 2 months old} and a toddler {he was 2 1/2 then}. What I realized when we finally got to the beach was, you can have a great and relaxing trip with two young children. Here's my tips on how  to enjoy your trip and to keep stress levels to a minimum...

1.) Have a shady area:

     There are so many reasons to make sure you keep an area shady for the children {and for yourself, as well}. Your children and you need to make sure there is a way to escape from the sun. Of course, we go to the beach to enjoy the rays, but too much sun can be harmful {sunburns, heat rashes, sun poisoning, over heating, etc}. Below are some pictures of suggestions for creating a shady area while you are at the beach. {We opted for 2 good old-fashioned beach umbrellas.}

2.) Have a place the kiddos can nap:
    
      We got extremely lucky on this one with the  baby. We would place her in her carrier and lock it into the stroller. We would go down to our spot on the beach, and she would usually nap the entire time we were out there. {I think it was because the sound of the Ocean waves were calming to her.} The canopy on her carrier and stroller come together to created a total shady environment for her. It was so incredibly easy with her. However, the challenge came with my 2 1/2 year old son. 1 of 2 thing would happen each day. 1) He would play the entire time, and then crash when we got back to our room {and nap a solid 2 hours}. 2) He would ask one of us to hold him, and he would fall asleep in our arms. If that happened, we had either a reclining chair or sheet we could lay him on under the shade so he could rest.

3.) Keep plenty of fluids on hand:

     There wasn't much of an issue with the baby. You can obviously nurse or give them formula to keep them hydrated well enough. If you are nursing, make sure you drink plenty of water and fluids to ensure enough hydration for your baby. The best idea I found for my toddler was to freeze some Capri Suns or Water bottles. If you let them sit outside for a little while, they will melt enough for your toddler to drink, but remain cool and refreshing. Of course, make sure you take enough for you and your children while you are down by the beach. {Try to keep trips back and forth between your room and the ocean to a minimum for your sanity :) }

4.) Make sure you have some beach-side entertainment:

     Luckily, my son LOVED the ocean. I know some toddlers find it overwhelming. My suggestion, have a few things {like a bucket and shovel} they can play with in the sand. One interesting thing I found on Pinterest was to take a small 2-ring pool with you. Put some ocean water in it, and place some toys in it so they can play in the ocean water without the waves. If your baby can sit up on their own, you can even let them play in the pool {and it keeps them in one place}. Obviously, any time your child is around water, you need to keep a very close eye on them to prevent drowning. The place we stayed had a playground right beside the pool. We would let our toddler play on that later in the afternoon, after we had dinner {instead of going back to the beach to play since we were clean}.

5.) Think minimalistic:

      Our very first day, my husband and I were loaded down with everything I felt we needed to take down to the beach. {It was like something directly out of a comedy.} Seriously, we took just about everything but the kitchen sink! The next day, my husband and I got smarter. We went though everything and decided exactly what needed to go and what could stay. We cut down what we took down to the beach in half. We even decided to load down the stroller with as much as possible to make transportation much easier. We ended up only taking the absolute necessities:

• sunscreen
• umbrellas
• towels
• sheet
• carrier and stroller
• drinks {and baby bottle}
• 1 back up swimmer diaper
• 2 or 3 diapers for the baby
• very few toys {including my son's boogie-board}

6.) If at all possible, TAKE THE GRANDPARENTS!!

     Seriously, this is the most important advice I can give you. Having two extra people with us, gave us the ability to relax more. We could focus our attention to one child at a time, while the grandparents played or kept an eye on the other child. Really, you could take just one extra person {like a friend, aunt, or uncle}. It really is a lifesaver to have at least one extra person with you. It gives you an extra set of hands. My mother-in-law is not a huge fan of getting in the ocean. So, she would stay with the baby girl, while we my father-in-law, husband, and I took my little man into the ocean to play. This little tidbit of information can really make your beach trip super relaxing and successful.

Like I said earlier, don't read all those Pinterest posts and let them freak you out. It truly is possible to have a great beach vacation with a baby or toddler {or in my case, both}.  Enjoy your vacation, don't make it a miserable trip. Make many happy memories with your family.

{Update on my Fitness Journey} : I open up about my day-to-day struggles

        

Image from: communitytable.parade.com

       I have been fairly honest with how much pain I experienced during my pregnancy with my daughter. We all hoped  the pain issues were only due to being pregnant. Unfortunately, the issues have only gotten worse during the past 4 postpartum months. It has really caused a major hit to my postpartum fitness plans. I had truly hoped I would be much further along on my fitness journey by now. It's very disheartening to essentially "live and die" by your calendar of all the various doctor's appointments I have on a regular basis. I always thought this lifestyle would only happen to me once I was much much older {if at all}. On any given week, I will probably see at least 2 different doctor's {if not more}. 

        So far, we have found that I already have arthritis in my spine. The most recent discovery, my neurologist found was that I have neuropathy in my arms and legs. The Mayo Clinic defines Neuropathy as: disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, typically causing numbness or weakness. This discovery explained why I am definitely having many of my problems. I constantly feel a burning sensation, like as if your are or leg fell asleep and is just starting to wake up {that burning needle sensation}.  It causes much pain and weakness. This is a constant thing, not just an 'every-so-often' feeling. {Yeah, It sucks.} I tell family and close friends how much I hate being only 26 years old with a body that acts like I am 70 years old. My neurologist has already ran many tests to try to find out what is cause the neuropathy. I have not been told any results yet. Next week, I have to go get a skin biopsy done to see if my neuropathy is due to thick veins. If that is the cause, he said it should be a relatively easy fix by taking a particular medication that helps with this issue. Honestly, I really hope they can find what is causing the issue, so I can get back to "normal."
        All this being said, I have been in physical therapy for the past 3 months working on various strengthening exercises. My physical therapist thinks it could help relieve some of the pain. Every day, I see all these wonderful workout plans to get you into better shape. I only wish I could do some of these "get fit quick" workouts. Since I can barely write or type most days, these workouts would be practically impossible for me to complete. So, with the help for my wonderful husband, we are working on compiling some exercises and a fitness program for people with health issues like me {mainly the ones my physical therapist has deemed safe enough for me to do}. 

        I truly, truly hope that one day I can look back on all this, and be so proud to see just how successful this new workout regime has been. I will be working on compiling more and more information and examples of these exercises for all of you. I just felt that this is a great way to not only inform all of you about what's going on with me, but also let you know what I have in the works. I am so thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful support system around me. I couldn't deal with all this without all of you! I look forward to sharing and working on furthering my fitness journey.  I don't want this to become a pity party, I want to let you all know that I am hopeful that I can fulfill my wish to help others from my personal struggles.

Image from: www.laminaresearchcenter.com

{6 easy tips to make potty training more successful}

       We are far from perfect or finished with potty training. Now that I had a baby girl in April, I will eventually get the pleasure of knowing first hand if one gender is easier than the other at potty training. For now, my focus is on potty training my almost 3 year old son {birthday in late October}. He’s been using the potty off and on since he turned 2. However, it seems his interest and willingness to train has just started within the past month. I’m one of those mothers that will read and read about other people’s experiences, and then I will form it to make it work for me. Potty training is one of those topics where I’m constantly look for suggestions on how to make it easier. Here is what’s worked and not worked thus far for us:

1.)    Pull-ups…

       Essentially, they are a bigger version of a diaper. More than likely, your child will associate the pull-up as a diaper and will believe it’s ok to go. I’ve learned that they have their specific place in potty training… My suggestion, ONLY use for the following 3 things:

 -traveling {mainly if you are going to be in the car or out of the house for longer than 20   

                     mins.}

             -nap time {I always try to get him to potty just before nap time, but to be on the safe
                                 side, I will put a pull-up on just to make sure we’re covered if he does go
                                 during his nap.}
            -bed time {Same concept for nap time as is for bed time. I get him to potty just before
                                bed time, and then put a pull-up on just in case we have an accident.}

Image from: www.southmountaincrossfit.com

 

 

2.)    Underwear…

       I have learned if we make something a big deal, my toddler will get super excited about it. So, we got him some super cool underwear. He loves wearing his undies. Plus, if he has an accident, he will know about it and want to change. A pull-up essentially just allows for accidents to keep happening. He doesn’t like to keep wearing wet undies. Keeping underwear on, actually keeps accidents to a minimum. He seems to recognize when he needs to potty quicker in actual underwear than in pull-ups.

Image from: www1.macys.com

3.) Get a great potty...

 

 When we were trying to decide on the best potty option for my little man, we chose to go with a potty that is somewhat realistic. The potty we chose has a handle that “flushes,” makes flushing sounds, lights up, and sings a potty song.  There were two main reasons we chose this particular potty for Braeden. 1) He loves to flush toilets, so we wanted one that he could “flush” and resembled a real toilet {Yes, we know real toilets do not usually sing to us. } 2) We wanted the potty to be “cool” enough to spark his interest and keep him coming back. Well, it was perfect… Little did I know, I would fall in love with the removable seat! It was not a factor I had considered at all. However, it has come in handy more than once. He now like to go between using both his potty and the “big” potty. We can remove the seat and place it on our toilet to ensure he won’t “fall” in. We can also take the seat with us when we visit people without a small potty at their house. I would even suggest you get a foldable seat cover, so they can go anywhere.

Image from: www.toysrus.com

 

 

4.)    Make a big deal about every success…

        It is so important to give them praise every time they even sit on the potty. Even if they do not end up going, tell them you are proud of them trying. This encouragement will keep them coming back. I’ve noticed now, when Braeden goes potty, he will announce it to everyone around to hear them tell him “Good Job.” We have even given him rewards when he remembers to go. {Example: 2 m&m’s for pee, and 3 or 4 for poo.} I even try to be encouraging when he had accidents. I will simply say, “It’s okay honey, just try to make it to the potty next time.”

Image from: www.repeatcrafterme.com

 

5.)   Be Patient!!

       I constantly have to remind myself of this. It’s easy for us to quickly potty, and be finished. Children are having to learn this. They are just figuring out how to understand what the urge to go feels like. So, they will have accidents. They may even sit on the potty for an excessively long time. Just remember, it’s ok. They are learning, and you are their first example. If you get frustrated, they will become frustrated and resent potty training. There are days where we are on our 5^th pair of underwear, and I have to catch myself before I get upset about having only one clean pair left. Which leads me to my next tip….

 

Image from: www.nasdaq.com

 

6.) Be Consistent!

 

This is probably the most important thing I have learned thus far. If I can keep reminding him to go potty, he’s less likely to forget. In turn, he is less likely to have accidents. I try to remind him every 10-15 minutes to go potty if he needs to. Approximately every 30 minutes, I will ask him to sit on the potty if he has not already gone. He is doing so much better now that I have become consistent in asking and reminding him about the potty.

Image from: comluv.com

 

 

As I said earlier, we are far from being finished with this whole potty training adventure. By following these few tips, potty training has become so much more successful.

Best alternative to Mayonnaise...

      While making my turkey sandwich for lunch today, I decided that I should try to make it as healthy as possible. Personally, I prefer to make sandwiches with bread. I know making a wrap with either a tortilla shell or lettuce leaf is ultimately the healthiest option. However, I'll stick with my usual honey wheat bread. I added some spinach and fresh tomato. As I was reviewing the best way to make my sandwich healthy, I remember that I had purchased a ton of avocados at the store the other day. {Kroger had them on sale!} So, I decided to make an avocado spread to put on my sandwich instead of mayonnaise. I knew Jimmy John's has a killer avocado spread on some of their sandwiches, so I figured I can keep that in mind as I made it. My spread was not a perfect match, but it definitely did not disappoint! So, here's the recipe:

Avocado Sandwich Spread
Yields: 1 1/2 cup {approx. 3 sandwiches worth}
Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

1 avocado, ripe
1- 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice {depends on how thick or thin you prefer your spread}
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4-1/2 salt and pepper {season to taste}

Directions:
Place all ingredients into blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Apply to sandwich. ENJOY! :)

       {I'm not a professional photographer, but I think this sandwich looks pretty darn yummy}

If you truly are what you eat... Then, I am a Sweet Shop...

       It's no secret that I am trying to eat healthier, and get into better shape than I currently am in. I would say that I do not eat super unhealthy {as you can see by most of my other recipe posts}. However, I do have a super weakness for sweets. I could "eat clean" all day, but if you put a cupcake in front of me... IT WILL GET EATEN. Clearly, it has not gotten totally out of control, just yet. Most of the time, if I am having a huge sweets craving, I will have a few pieces of a Hershey's Dark Chocolate and Almond bar. Which isn't really all that unhealthy if you look into the health benefits of dark chocolate. I've tried holding out on having any desserts until the weekend and just have "cheat days." Well, what normally happens is that I make up an excuse. An example of one of my MANY excuses is: "Well, It's Thursday. It's almost the weekend. I can have just 1 {or 2 or 3} cookie(s)." So, my newest goal for my health journey is to cut back on my sweets, and if I get to really craving something sweet, I will find a healthier alternative.
     I do want to make sure I state that I am not actually dieting to lose weight. I am trying to change what my "ideal" eating lifestyle is {Cake, cookies, and sweets}, to more healthier eating habits. I know {as pretty much everyone else knows}... Just changing what you eat, and not doing more, like some kind of exercise, will only allow for limited results.  I do have an ultimate goal to change to a more healthy lifestyle altogether. For now, I'm just pleased with the baby steps I've taken so far. Due to my many unfortunate health issues, it will be very small baby steps. I will get there, eventually.

4 months and growing strong...

      Kathryn just keeps growing... which is obviously wonderful and exactly what we want her to do. However, I feel like time has flown by. Seriously, she's already 4 months old! She's get more and more fun every day. Of course, I love cuddling and taking care of a little newborn, but watching her become more and more independent is astonishing. She smiles and laughs all the time now. She's able to roll over, which means we have to watch her like a hawk when she's laying down any where. When she is doing "belly time," she can scoot across the floor in an almost crawling way. She gets so frustrated that she cannot totally sit up on her own yet. {It's so cute watching her try so hard, and then, seeing how mad at herself she becomes that she cannot do it just yet.} She would still be considered a "supported sitter," but she's definitely becoming more and more of an independent sitter every single day. Not only is carrying a baby and delivering such a miracle, but watching the baby go from totally dependent on those around them, to becoming an more independent little human, is also just as amazing!
       She had her 4 month check up last week at the doctor's office. She is growing like a weed. She's in the 75th percentile in height for her age group. {Seems like her and Braeden will be surpassing their mommy in height.} Her head circumference is right on mark at the 55th percentile. The only downer, is that her weight went from 46th percentile at 2 months old, down to 9th percentile. When the doctor came in to talk to me about the weight issue, she threw me for a loop. I noticed Kathryn seemed to be having more spit up episodes lately, and I had planned on talking to them about that. Well apparently, her acid reflux must be so bad lately that she is not able to keep her calories she needs to gain weight and keep the nutrition needed. So, we are going to try her on the baby version of Prilosec in the morning and upping her Zantac at night. We hope this will get her acid reflux and spitting up under control. Other than the acid reflux, she's healthy as an ox. I'm so thankful  and blessed to have two healthy children.

Kathryn Elizabeth Campbell

-I smile and laugh all the time.

-I am trying to sit up on my own.

-I can now roll over.

-I sleep though the night.

-I can lay on my belly and scoot across the floor.

Getting Down to the "Nitty Gritty": Let's talk about {Bullying}

       

       There's really nothing new about the fact that  bullying is still just as prevalent, if not worse, as it's ever been.
        Let's just paint a picture of a bullying circumstance...

The normal response: Two kids are out on the playground. One is making fun of the other child and maybe even pushing or hurting the child, while the other child is sheepishly taking the torture. We want our kids to "speak up" if we see this going on, and we want them to go tell someone.

The more real response: One teenager is on their twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media account saying horrible things about or to the other person. They will either tag them in the post, message them privately so that no one else knows what they are saying, or they will make a vague status saying something mean and the other teenager knows they are referring to them.

       Cyberbullying is very real. Social media outlets have made bullying so much easier. A person that would normally talk behind someone's back instead of saying anything directly to the person, can now hop online and bully who ever they wish without having to see them. It gives them a false sense of security and allows bullying to occur easier. We have made sure our children understand to go tell someone if they are physically being bullied, but we need to find a way to prepare our children on how to deal with cyberbullying (more on the psychological side). Our children need to understand that those who bully this way, are ultimately the insecure ones who need help. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt those who are being bullied any less. If you or someone you know are being cyberbullied, here are a few tips on how to deal with it thanks to wiki how:

1. Save Every Message:
    You may want to forget about those terrible messages and words quickly, but it's best if you can save the messages. It could help you out later when you do go and tell an adult about being bullied. So take a quick screen shot, hit save, or print out the messages.

2. Try not to participate:
     It may be the hardest thing you do. The bully wants you to get upset and reply. That's how they get their satisfaction. If you can completely ignore them, they may quit bothering you altogether. If you do feel that you need to reply, just remember, they can save and copy every response you make as well. Do not say anything you would regret for anyone else to see, because you never know who might read it.

3. Identify the person:
    If they are hiding behind an unfamiliar screen name or picture, do a little research. Search your email, social media, etc. and see if you can find out who the person is. If you are totally unsuccessful, get an adult involved. They may be able to search the IP address to see who is the bully.

4. Approach the bully:
    If you know the person, approach them. When they are no longer behind their veil of the computer, their whole demeanor may change. If you stay calm and attempt to talk to them about the issue, it may deter them  from continuing to bully.

5. If it's severe, press charges: {I'm going to copy this directly from WikiHow because I couldn't say it better myself}
   "Bullying of any kind is illegal in most states. After letting a parent into the situation, allow them to contact the bully's parents (if the school has not already done this). If you've suffered severely from this, or experienced humiliation or violent threats/acts, this girl/boy can be suspended, expelled, or even arrested, depending on how severe they have acted towards you."
    

With this post, I truly hope it can help some of you out there that are being cyberbullied. No form of bullying is ever ok. I feel cyberbullying needs to be taken a little more seriously. It may not be a physical form of bullying, but the permanent psychological damage it could cause to a child is terrible. If you know some one who is bullying or has been bullied of any form, SPEAK UP. It truly can save lives.

Here's a few other resources that could help you:
The BULLY Project
StopBullying.gov
KidPower.org

Get out, unplug, and enjoy your weekend!

        I'm sitting here on a Saturday morning with 'Captian' Jake and the Neverland Pirates on the TV, my little man cuddling me on my left, and my sweet pea napping in her bouncy chair. A few years ago, I would have thought this was a total waste of a perfectly good Saturday. Now, I realize this is a perfect Saturday.
       For the longest time, I thought Saturdays were meant for catching up on all the work you couldn't get completed during the week. My how things change. Every Friday evening, I'll ask Paul the same question, "Do we have to be anywhere in the morning?". As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I begin praying the answer is NO. I'm begging to learn that the weekend should be meant for relaxation. We all work hard during the week, whether it's working at the office or just being a mother {In my opinion, that's one of the most challenging jobs a woman can do.}. We should maximize our weekends, but maximize our relaxation techniques- not by working even harder. I'm not going to lie, and let you think I won't be doing anything this weekend (or any weekend). Trust me, the essentials will still be done (dishes, laundry, picking up, etc,), but I will make sure I spend plenty of time with my family and friends.
        Life should be a never ending learning experience, and I am learning to simply love and enjoying other's company. So, I suggest you all do the same. Housework can wait {and trust me, it will still be there waiting for you}, unplug from technology, and go do something with your friends or family today. I hope you have a fun-filled weekend!

3 Months Old (Yes, I know it's a little late.)

       It really surprises me how fast time truly flies. My baby girl is already 3 months old. Plus, this post is late so she's inching even closer to 4 months.  I was telling Paul the other day that I feel I have been able to enjoy her more at this stage than I could Braeden. We think it's because it's almost second nature now, and I don't have to worry about every little thing she is doing. I can definitely tell that I am a little more relaxed with her than I was with Braeden. Things sure do change from the 1st born to the next baby. I always thought that was a bunch of poo when people said that to me. {I still think it's more along the line of, "you live and you learn," than just changing.}

       Anyway, she is babbling more and more every day. She also seems to be trying to imitate sounds that we say to her. She smiles all the time, and even laughs some now. She seems to growing and growing every single day. Actually, just out grew her bassinet attachment to her pack-n-play. It's just amazing to watch how much she's growing and learning on a daily basis. I'm so unbelievably blessed by her and her bother. Speaking of, he is totally in love with her still. He will wake up, and the first words out is his mouth are, "where's baby sista?". He has even been giving her the bottle and pacifier. I've even caught him trying to share is cup with her the other day. They're both just so cute together.

Kathryn Elizabeth Campbell 

 

-I smile all the time.

-I love to laugh, especially when tickled.

-I {STILL} enjoy eating all the time.

-I can sit up, supported.

-I sleep though the night {most of the time now}.

Getting down to the "Nitty Gritty": Let's talk about PostpartumDepression

         

           I feel this is an important topic that needs more discussing. In my personal experience, it can be hard to realize you may actually be suffering from postpartum depression. Many new moms find themselves not feeling as amazing as they think they should feel right after having their sweet baby. After all, people call babies "a bundle of joy." So why don't you feel the same about it? You know you love this child and would do anything for your baby, but you may feel your world is crashing in on you. Trust me, I know. It's call the "baby blues" which can develop into postpartum depression (ppd). There really isn't much you can do to prevent the "baby blues" or ppd, but the most important thing you can do is get a jump start on noticing the symptoms and getting the help you need. You should also know that you should not feel ashamed if you have any of the symptoms. If you think you could be dealing with ppd, contact either your OBGYN or primary care doctor.
         There is a difference between the "baby blues" and postpartum depression. I did a little research to familiarize myself with the signs and symptoms of both. The Mayo Clinic explains that the "baby blues" should only last a few days up to two weeks. The symptoms of the "baby blues" are:

Mood swings

Anxiety

Sadness

Irritability

Crying

Decreased concentration

Trouble sleeping

All the symptoms are very common, and most women will blame it all on being a new mother. Which really if you breakdown the symptoms, that does seem like a logical explanation. {I mean seriously, "trouble sleeping?!"... As a new mom, you probably aren't sleeping because you have a newborn.} THE KEY to all this is to keep evaluating yourself and see if you are still experiencing these symptoms longer than two weeks. If you are, you may have postpartum depression. You need to speak to a doctor about any concerns you may have as soon as you can, because you do not want it to go untreated and get out of hand. The symptoms of ppd are:

Loss of appetite

Insomnia

Intense irritability and anger

Overwhelming fatigue

Loss of interest in sex

Lack of joy in life

Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy

Severe mood swings

Difficulty bonding with your baby

Withdrawal from family and friends

Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Again, I cannot reiterate it enough, if you have any of these symptoms, you need to contact your doctor about your concerns. I have dealt with this issue with both of my children. It took me longer the 1st time around to realize my anxiety levels, mood swings, and fatigue were not just simply due to a lack of sleep and being new mom. I was lucky enough that approximately two months after my first baby was born, I had to a check up with my primary care doctor. I talked to her about how I was feeling, and she explained that it was not just due to the baby, but that it was postpartum depression. I remember thinking how I should have mentioned it to someone earlier, and I wouldn't have been suffering so long. With my second baby, I was able to recognize the symptoms much sooner, and was able to get back on track quicker.

         One thing I did both times, was finding something that I loved doing before having a baby, and try to get back into it. Whether it's reading, blogging, cooking, or crafting... find a way to make yourself have a little "you time." I would either have my husband or family watch the baby for a little while, and dive into a fun hobby for while they had the baby. It really helped me each time. I love all those hobbies I mentioned above, so I would pick just one to work on at a time. Recently, I've been trying to get back into my blogging {obviously}, and my crafting. My latest creation are some coasters I made for my dad's new bar he built for his "man cave." I had such a blast making them, and my spirits were lifted to see them turn out so well. Since they turned out so great, I made sure I added them to my Etsy shop. You can actually give us an idea about a design you like, and we will try to match it up for you. Here's a link to our shop if you would like to check it out: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeekedOutCrafts

All this being said, I am serious about wanting new moms to realize if you might be suffering from ppd. If you are waiting to get help because you feel bad about not feeling so glamorized by your new baby, do not make that your excuse. It is not worth suffering when you can simply get help. You doctor can prescribe you a medicine to help. After you have sought out help, you can also try the "hobby" idea I mentioned about to see if that can help lift your spirits some. You should be able to enjoy this time in your life, not feeling constant dread. I'm hopeful this post may help some moms out there realize they could be actually dealing with postpartum depression.

{6 Tips} on How to get your toddler to eat

        Let me start with this... My nearly 3 year old is one of the most difficult children that I have ever met when it comes to eating. I hate to use the term "picky" in reference to him. He will usually try just about anything once. Plus, there are days he eats me nearly out of house and home. Then, there are days I'm fairly certain he has only eaten like 3 crackers and drink his "food" in cup form (aka milk).  I have a previous post about this because it's been the biggest challenge with him since he's began eating. I am always struggling trying to find a way to get him to eat. I've read numerous articles about how to get a toddler to eat food. Here's the best things I have found work for him....

1. Offer Choices
As we do, children also "eat with their eyes." If their plate does not look appetizing even to you, then more than likely they will not want to eat it. The best "fix" for this, give them a few things to chose to eat. The healthier the options, the better. I've use little 6 count muffin tin several times and given Braeden about 3-4 different things to eat. I, also, try to make sure most of his food options have mobility. If he can grab-and-go with his food he will usually eat a little more. {Note: Too many options may be overwhelming. I'd suggest only 4 options at the most.}

                                           Image from: wedishnutrition.wordpress.com

2. Find Their Favorites
If it seems like you are at your wits end with finding something your toddler will eat, try the "choices tip from #1" and see if you can find a few things they tend to lean towards. I always try to offer healthy options, but some of my sons favorite things to eat are not always so healthy. His favorite thing to eat is chicken, more specifically, chicken nuggets. However, I have given him turkey, carrots, celery, and broccoli so much they are some of his favorite things to eat too. If you find 1 or 2 things you child seems to gravitate toward, make sure that is included with the food options you offer; then, offer a "plus 1" new item. The key is for them so see things they like, and then venture and try some of the new things you have put there for them.

3. Find Meals You Can Fix
Create meals the whole family can eat together using some of their favorite foods. Example: My son loves chicken, and he seems to like broccoli pretty well. So, the other night, we all had baked chicken with broccoli for dinner. When your child sees you eating the same food they are eating, it can reassure that "if it's good enough for you,  then, it's good enough for them." Hopefully, this will prompt them to try more the food you are eating. Plus, it helps them learn to eat around normal meal times.

4. Show them Food can be Fun
-Become creative with their food. Cut sandwiches into interesting and familiar shapes. Point it out to them that their sandwich is shaped like Mickey Mouse or a star. It's easy to take almost any cookie cutter and apply it to their food.
-Let them get involved with making their food. Obviously, keep them safe. However, they love to eat the food they have helped prepare. Sometimes, just letting Braeden watch me fix the food is enough for him to feel "involved."
-Use interesting plates or containers to hold their food. Find them a special plate or table for them to use. Make their plate a big deal to them so they get excited to eat with it.

Image from: sharemyworld.org

5. Do Not Force It
The last thing you want to do is make this such a traumatic issue that your child resents eating. They could grow to hate meal times and make their eating issue a problem. I do occasionally find myself asking him to eat a few more bites before he can go play. However, I do pay attention so see if he is really interested in eating at that particular time. If he seems to not really be hungry, forcing him to eat more food or finish his plate can cause negative eating habits in the future. It can lead to obesity if they grow up thinking the must always finish their plate. Additionally, there could be an underlying reason they do not want to eat their food. It could be a texture issue, and if you force them to keep eating, it could lead to them vomiting. {And no one wants to deal with vomit!}

6. Keep it Accessible
My little man is constantly on the go. Trying to stop him to make him eat is nearly impossible, and usually just results in him refusing to eat. The best thing I have found to do is: Let him know it is time to eat, Find a place that he can reach his food easily, and Leave it there for only about 1-2 hours. I always inform him when its lunch time or dinner time. Then, I set his food somewhere he can reach it. Usually, I place it on a table that is his level or on a couch cushion. Then, I will leave it there for him to 'grab-n-go.' Sometimes, I even find that turning on his favorite cartoon show while he is eating will help distract him while he's eating, and it usually results in him eating more than usual.


I truly hope some of these tips really do help you. I know first hand just how stressful it can be having a toddler that seems to never really eat (or eat like you would like them to). As long as their weight is not in a concerning percentile {and trust me the Dr. will let you know it if is}, try these tips and just keep plugging along. Toddlers will typically grow out of this problem.  The fact that you are reading this article about how to get your toddler to eat better, means you are a good mother. Don't let people make you feel inadequate since your toddler does not eat as much as they feel they should. Just as most people say, it does get better.

Healthy Toddler Teething Biscuits

                  I've been making different biscuits, cookies, and snacks for my little man since he was about 8 months old. He started cutting his teeth around 2 or 3 months old. I'm fairly certain he was between 4-6 months when we started him on baby food. By around 8 months he could nibble on just about anything he wanted... and when I say anything, I mean ANYTHING! We always had to keep an eye on him to make sure he wouldn't get ahold of anything he should have. {Who am I kidding?! We still have to make sure he doesn't have anything he shouldn't at nearly 3 years old.} Anyways, this is one of my favorite recipes for an easy and healthy toddler snack. Best part, I usually have most, if not all, of the ingredients in my pantry at any given time. **The clickable title link below is a video from the MommyVlog YouTube channel of us making the biscuits. Oh, and it includes bloopers.**

Healthy Toddler Teething Biscuits
Yields about 12 biscuits

Ingredients:
-1 cup of Whole Wheat flour
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1 ripe banana
-1 snack sized container of applesauce (approx. 1/2 cup)
-1 egg
-1/4 cup of honey {Tip: If you oil or spray oil in your measuring cup prior to pouring the honey in, it will come out of the measuring cup much easier.}
-2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil


Directions: Preheat oven to 375. First, peel and smash the banana in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Next, add the applesauce and mix well. Next, add the rest of your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and ground cinnamon). Then, mix in the egg, honey, and oil. Stir until well blended. Roll into 1 inch ball or ovals. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

^^^ That is how I typically roll mine out.

^^^ Finished product